Photo: Courtesy of Bill Fitzpatrick/USIP
Today we held an event on Libya. It was a fun event. We had over 100 people in the audience, together with about 80 folks who joined us via the webcast. There were lots of great questions from the audience and through twitter. The panelists provided very insightful comments. While acknowledging the challenges, overall, the panelists were optimistic about Libya’s transition to democratic governance. Here is an overview of the event:
Libya in Transition: The Significance of U.N. Resolution 1973 and Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa
At a time when people in the Middle East and North Africa are calling for democracy and human rights, the United Nations Security Council, inspired by the Responsibility to Protect principle, approved Resolution 1973 to protect Libya’s civilian population against escalating violence. Subsequent actions by NATO and allied Arab country forces have helped bring about the fall of the Qaddafi regime and recognition of the revolutionary National Transitional Council as Libya’s legitimate government. The efforts to establish justice, security, and the rule of the law in Libya offers lessons for other Middle Eastern and North African countries seeking democratic rule.
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) hosted an event to assess the effort to establish democratic rule in Libya, the role of the U.N. resolution in that effort, and the importance of the transition and resolution to democracy efforts throughout the region.
Speakers
- Dean Pittman, panelist
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of International Organization Affairs - Laith Kubba, panelist
Senior Director, Middle East and North Africa
National Endowment for Democracy - Manal Omar, panelist
Director of Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Programs
United States Institute of Peace - Ted Piccone, panelist
Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy
The Brookings Institution - Colette Rausch, moderator
Director, Rule of Law Center
United States Institute of Peace - Dick Rowson, introduction
Board Member
United Nations Association-National Capital Area
Partners
United Nations Association of the National Capital Area
“The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA), a chapter of UNA-USA, is a membership-based nonprofit that works to promote constructive U.S. leadership in an effective United Nations. UNA-NCA uses our unique position in the nation’s capital to inform, inspire, and engage local residents and national leaders through a wide variety of outreach, education, and advocacy programs. Joining UNA-NCA provides opportunities for networking, using and developing your leadership skills, making your voice heard, and having an impact both globally and locally.”
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